Hideo

Meaning & origin

Hideo is a Japanese name that peaked in U.S. usage in 1925, reflecting early 20th-century immigration patterns. The name first appeared in Social Security records in 1910, and while it has never placed in the top 1000 nationally, it has remained in steady, low-level use ever since, with a stable trajectory over recent decades. Given its pronunciation and structure, Hideo fits within a classic Japanese naming tradition. As a name borne by notable figures across various fields, it carries a strong cultural resonance. Its 1-in-N ratio is not available due to insufficient data, but its consistent if modest presence in birth records demonstrates enduring appeal within Japanese-American communities.

Hideo is a Japanese given name, typically composed of two kanji characters. The first character, 秀 (hide), often means 'excellent' or 'outstanding', and the second, 男 (o), means 'man' or 'male'. Thus, the name can be interpreted as 'excellent man'. Other combinations, such as 英雄, which means 'hero', also use the same reading. The name has been in use since at least the early 20th century and was most popular in the 1920s.